Legislation: Effects on Wales

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will insert into the Explanatory Notes accompanying each Bill a table listing all the provisions that give powers to the National Assembly for Wales, in order to assist in tracking Bills as they apply to Wales.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The guidance issued to departments already states that, where a Bill affects the National Assembly for Wales, or otherwise affects Wales in a different way from the rest of the jurisdiction covered by a Bill, the Explanatory Notes should list all the clauses and paragraphs on schedules to the Bill that affect the powers of the National Assembly. It will be suggested to departments that they present this in a tabular form where appropriate.

Palace of Westminster Medal Collection

Lord Marlesford: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Whether he will arrange for the medal issued for the 2004 Iraq operations to be added to the Palace of Westminster medal collection.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The House of Commons medal collection is a matter for the authorities of the House of Commons. I understand, however, that the Army Medal Office has supplied a specimen of the medal issued for the 2004 Iraq operations which will be added to the collection in due course.

United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider establishing a Ministry of Peace in order to give effect to the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government are committed to strengthening international peace and stability, building upon the objectives of the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace initiative.
	The Government have no plans to implement a separate Ministry of Peace. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development all contribute significant resources and effort to conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace support operations; both as individual departments and jointly through the Government's Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools. The pools have ministerial oversight and direction at Cabinet level.

Conflict Prevention and Resolution

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Kingdom would benefit from a ministry in government to deal with conflict resolution.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development already contribute significant resources and effort to conflict prevention; both as individual departments and jointly through the Government's Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools. The Government have no plans to establish a separate ministry to deal with conflict resolution.
	The Conflict Prevention Pools are subject to ministerial oversight and direction at Cabinet level. A major external evaluation of the pools in 2004 concluded that the progress achieved through the pools' mechanisms is significant enough to justify their continuation, and that they are funding worthwhile activities that make positive contributions to effective conflict prevention.

China: Human Rights

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Chinese Government regarding the imprisonment of house church leader Xu Shaungfu and the recent apparent killing by Chinese police of two Christians, Gu Xianggao and Jiang Zongxiu.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are aware of the reports of the detention of Xu Shaungfu and the deaths in custody of Gu Xianggao and Jiang Zongxiu. We continue to monitor these cases.
	We are very concerned about religious freedom and the treatment of prisoners in China. We raised these issues during the last round of the UK China Human Rights Dialogue in May. We continue to press the Chinese to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which forbids torture and permits freedom of religious belief. I discussed ICCPR ratification with Vice Minister, Zhang Yesui, during my trip to China in July.

Afghanistan

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What common methods and objectives are shared by the Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan under NATO command; what changes have been made to those methods in preparation for the elections; and whether overall numbers of troops are being increased.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Each Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is staffed and run to suit the circumstances of the area in which it operates. But all PRTs—whether run by NATO or the coalition—aim to help improve the security environment in order to extend the authority of the central government by facilitating reconstruction and security sector reform. PRTs will continue to operate as normal during the election period, providing support to Afghan security forces as necessary.
	Italy and Spain are each providing an extra battalion of troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to cover the election period. An extra company of US troops will support ISAF in Kabul, in addition to 1,000 extra US troops who will operate as part of the coalition. NATO will have further troops ready to respond if required. As announced by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 25 August, in addition to our existing commitments, the UK is deploying six RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft to Kandahar for an initial period of nine months, supported by some 230 personnel. The aircraft will support both coalition and ISAF operations.

Afghanistan

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To what extent adequate security outside Kabul is frustrated by the inability of central government to pay adequate salaries to soldiers and police or to maintain the planned level of demobilisation of local militia; and how this is being addressed.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is clearly essential that Afghan National Army (ANA) and Police Force (ANP) personnel are properly paid. We are aware that there have been some limited problems with payments and we have encouraged the US (which leads international support for the ANA), Germany (for the ANP) and the Afghan Government (whose ministries oversee the payments) to improve the system of payment. But this has not affected security outside Kabul. On the contrary, ANA and ANP units regularly contribute to resolving conflicts in the regions, most recently in Herat following the removal of former Governor Ismael Khan. And the ANA has also contributed effectively to coalition missions in the south and east.
	The process of demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of militia personnel has been slower than we would have liked. But progress is being made. On 7 September, President Karzai issued a decree adding a further 27,000 to the total number of militia to be disarmed, in addition to the 13,000 processed so far.

London Diplomatic List

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to change the position whereby British citizens on the London Diplomatic List may represent the interests of foreign governments; whether such persons receive full diplomatic privileges including exemptions for United Kingdom taxes; and whether they will name those persons on the current Diplomatic List who are known to hold British citizenship.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, members of the diplomatic staff of an Embassy or High Commission who are British nationals may not be appointed without the consent of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Where such cases arise, they are decided on their individual merits. In accordance with long-standing arrangements, members of a diplomatic mission of a Commonwealth country and of Ireland who are both nationals of that country and British nationals are treated, for the purposes of privileges and immunities, as if they were not British nationals. They are therefore entitled to full diplomatic privileges and immunities. Members of foreign diplomatic missions who are British nationals or permanent residents of the United Kingdom are not entitled to any privileges or immunities beyond immunity for acts performed in the course of their official functions. It is not the practice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to make public details concerning individual diplomats, other than those published in the London Diplomatic List.

Indonesia: Human Rights

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made, directly and through the United Nations, to the Indonesian Government following recent reports that Indonesian army officers found guilty of crimes after the vote for independence in East Timor have had their sentences quashed by the High Court in Jakarta.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: On 24 August the presidency issued a statement on behalf of the European Union expressing concern at the overturning of convictions by the Ad Hoc Human Rights Court in Jakarta.

Turkey: EU Report

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in advance of the European Union summit meeting planned for December 2004, they will report to Parliament on the results of the European Union's assessment of reforms in Turkey, and in particular whether these do full justice to national, ethnic and religious minorities.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We will submit an explanatory memorandum to Parliament on all the Commission's EU enlargement reports, including on Turkey, following their publication in October.

Northern Cyprus

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In what ways the isolation of Turkish northern Cyprus has changed since the approval on 1 May by the majority of Turkish Cypriots of the Annan plan.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: On 24 April Turkish Cypriots expressed their clear desire for a future within the European Union. On 26 April the EU recognised that desire and agreed to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. This in itself was a significant development. The United Nations Secretary General gave further impetus to that goal in his report on his mission of good offices on 28 May.
	The European Commission has produced two draft regulations: to enable preferential direct trade between northern Cyprus and the EU, and to put in place a system to disburse 259 million euros of structural funds as agreed at the 26 April General Affairs and External Relations Council. Both regulations are still under discussion between EU member states. Agreement on both regulations is necessary to fulfil the political decision of 26 April to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
	Since 1 May, Turkish Cypriots with Republic of Cyprus travel documents have had the same rights and entitlement to enjoy the benefits of EU membership as any other EU citizen. The Government are working to ensure that this entitlement can be enjoyed to the fullest extent possible.

Cyprus: Travel Restrictions

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether United Kingdom citizens who fly into Larnaca airport are able to visit northern Cyprus on holiday; and, if so, whether there are any conditions or restrictions.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: UK citizens can fly into Larnaca airport and visit the northern part of Cyprus on holiday. It is possible to cross the Green Line at several crossing points.

Cyprus: Non-Cypriot Population

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	As Guarantor Power, what is the estimated number of non-Cypriots in (a) Greek Southern Cyprus; and (b) Turkish Northern Cyprus.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: This is a matter for the relevant Cypriot authorities.

Kazakhstan: British Embassy

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made to relocate the British Embassy in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan; and whether it will be a United Kingdom representation or one shared with other European Union nations.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government have publicly committed themselves to move their embassy from Almaty to Astana. As a first step, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office opened an embassy liaison office in February 2004. A team from the UK plans to visit Kazakhstan before the end of this year to identify suitable premises for opening an Embassy in Astana. Our existing embassy in Almaty—where we plan to retain a consulate—is co-located with the French and German Embassies. Should suitable opportunities arise in Astana, we will look to co-locate with EU partners again.

Middle East: Israeli Security Fence

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they are doing bilaterally with the European Union, the United States and the Quartet to stop further construction by Israel of a barrier within occupied territory.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have made known our views on the illegality of the route of the barrier and have made clear to the Israeli Government that they must re-route the barrier away from occupied land. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary most recently raised the issue with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Olmert on 8 September.
	We have worked with EU partners to ensure a consistent common position on the barrier. The EU voted in favour of United Nations General Assembly resolution ES-10/15 on 20 July. This called on the Israeli Government to comply with their legal obligations relating to the route of the barrier, and on the Palestinian Authority and Israeli Government to immediately implement their obligations under the Quartet's roadmap.
	We shall continue to work with EU partners and other members of the Quartet to underline the importance of the issue of the barrier. The Quartet has also expressed its concern about the actual and proposed route of the barrier.

EU Citizenship

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What record they have of the number of United Kingdom subjects who have rejected citizenship of the European Union; and what arrangements they have put in place to accommodate their rejection.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Since the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty "every citizen holding a nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union. Citizenship of the Union shall complement and not replace national citizenship." (TEC Article 17.1). Because it is a consequence of their UK citizenship individual UK citizens cannot separately renounce EU citizenship. They can however choose not to exercise the rights that EU citizenship brings, such as the rights to travel visa-free, study, work, and retire throughout the EU; to live in any EU country, and take out a mortgage, open a bank account, claim free or reduced cost emergency medical care or vote in local and European Parliament elections there; and, in a third country where there is no British Embassy, to get consular help or protection from any EU member state embassy.

Sex Discrimination

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will accept the right of petition under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminaton Against Women; and, if so, when.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We announced on 22 July our intention to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. The protocol will be laid before Parliament in October. Subject to parliamentary scrutiny being passed, we hope to deposit our instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the United Nations on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2004.

Sex Discrimination

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what empirical criteria they will evaluate the merits of the right of petition under the United Nations human rights treaties, with particular reference to the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women during the two years after the comming into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Following UK acceptance of the Optional Protocol for the Limitation of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, applications to the committee will be monitored on a case by case basis.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to lay orders under the Export Controls Act 2002 to ensure that classified information supplied to United Kingdom businesses by the United States under an International Traffic in Arms Regulations waiver is fully protected against further disclosure.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The proposals developed with the Government of the United States for a UK exemption from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations concern transfers of unclassified items to the UK. The implementation of these proposals would not require further orders under the Export Control Act.

Engineering

Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider appointing a chief engineering adviser to represent the profession to the Government; as recently called for by the Institution of Civil Engineers.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: There is no intention of appointing a chief engineering adviser to the Government, as there is already a Chief Scientific Advisor, whose remit includes engineering issues.

Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme: Dr Tony Hall

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what date Dr Tony Hall commenced work as a physician for the medical assessment programme of the Ministry of Defence; what were his duties and designation; in how many reports on veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict he was involved; and why his employment was terminated.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: Dr Tony Hall commenced work at the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme from 14 July 1997. He was employed as a civilian consultant physician. His duties were to investigate patients' medical complaints and, so far as possible, to make a diagnosis and to recommend management, or referral to relevant medical practitioners where appropriate. He also provided reassurance where no illness was found. In the period from 14 July 1997 to 10 December 1997 (when he went on extended leave) he saw 212 patients.
	Employment details are confidential and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, the MoD has a duty to protect personal information relating to present and former employees and does not release such information into the public domain without consent.

Shipbuilding

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish in the Official Report details of the study of the United Kingdom's shipbuilding capacity being undertaken on behalf of the Secretary of State for defence, including the intended purpose, length and cost of the study.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence commissioned the RAND Corporation in autumn 2003 to conduct a study covering the domestic capacity for naval ship construction. The length of the study was eight months, and it cost some £300,000. This was complemented by an internal study conducted over a similar duration and met within existing departmental resources.

Galileo Positioning System

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are considering the proposed European Galileo positioning system for the purposes of the intended Future Rapid Effects System; and, if so, when they expect to reach a decision on this aspect of the Future Rapid Effects System project.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: Galileo is a civilian system under civil control. The Ministry of Defence expects the GPS military code to continue to meet defence requirements for a robust, secure satellite navigation system. Accordingly, there are no plans for the use of Galileo by the MoD's Future Rapid Effects System.

Merchant Shipping: Protection

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they regard the protection of merchant shipping, and particularly British merchant shipping, against the threat of terrorists and others as a Standing Overseas Commitment or a Contingent Overseas Operation in terms of the Military Tasks set out in the New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: Revised Military Tasks were detailed in the volume of Supporting Essays accompanying the 2003 Defence White Paper, Delivering Security in a Changing World (Cm 6041). The United Kingdom maintains forces to ensure the integrity of its territorial waters and, where necessary, in the surrounding seas, as a Standing Home Commitment (Military Task 2.3). This includes maritime counter-terrorism and protection against renegade shipping. Any requirements for the protection of merchant shipping outside this area are considered on a contingent basis.

Merchant Shipping: Protection

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What provision is made within overall force planning for the protection of merchant shipping globally.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The threat from terrorists and piracy is kept under constant review, and the Ministry of Defence works closely with other government departments on the protection of merchant shipping. The Royal Navy's world-wide Maritime Trade Operations—known as UK MTO arrangements—enable a number of options to be offered in support of merchant shipping, graduated to the prevailing threat. These range from the provision of routine advice and guidance through to a more formal arrangement of naval supervision, which might for example, include specific routing. The appropriate level of MTO support required in a given area remains under constant assessment. For example, UK MTO arrangements in the Gulf have been enhanced since October 2001 by the establishment of a UK MTO Liaison cell in the region. If necessary, from this position, higher level Maritime Trade Operations can be implemented very quickly.

Royal Military Police

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What role they consider the Royal Corps of Military Police has in expeditionary deployments; and why they are not included amongst the list of force elements shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The role of the Royal Military Police (RMP) in expeditionary deployments is primarily a supporting one, involving the provision of regulation, protection and information. They operate as key enablers but are not shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (CM 6269), which focus on the large unit elements of deployable forces. Up to two Regular Regiments of the RMP may be attributed incrementally to expeditionary deployments, depending on the scale of the deployment.

Armed Forces

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the force elements comprising the garrisons of (a) the Falklands, (b) Ascension Island, (c) Gibraltar, and (d) the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus; and how are these elements and the necessary support shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The main force elements comprising these garrisons are as follows:
	The Falkland Islands
	HQ British Forces South Atlantic Islands
	Falkland Islands Air Wing (Tornado F3, helicopters and transport and tanker aircraft)
	Resident Rapier Squadron
	Joint Force Logistics Unit
	Falkland Islands Support Unit
	Roulemont Infantry Unit
	Communications Facilities
	One Patrol Vessel
	Ascension Island
	HQ Ascension Island Base
	Gibraltar
	HQ British Forces Gibraltar Joint Logistic Unit Communications Facilities Gibraltar Squadron (Two inshore Patrol Vessels) Royal Gibraltar Regiment Royal Naval Hospital Joint Medical and Dental Unit Joint Provost and Security Unit
	Cyprus Sovereign Base Area
	HQ British Forces Cyprus
	84 Squadron RAF (Helicopters)
	Cyprus Service Support Unit
	Military Hospital
	Cyprus Joint Security Unit
	Episkopi Support Unit
	Communications Facilities
	Cyprus Joint Police Unit
	Two Infantry Battalions
	Engineer Support Squadron
	RN Cyprus Squadron (Two inshore Patrol Vessels).
	The Support Helicopter, Rapier, Air Defence, and Transport and Tanker aircraft in the Falkland Islands and the Infantry in Cyprus and the Falkland Islands are shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269), in the Standing Commitments column.

Armed Forces

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What units comprise the Armed Forces as a whole in addition to the force elements shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: For clarity and simplicity the force elements shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269) were restricted to the main Regular deployable elements of the planned force structure. Other Regular elements of the planned structure (including headquarters, non-deployable units, or those which would not deploy as formed units) include the following:
	
		
			  
			 Force Element/Unit Number 
			 Maritime 
			 Inshore Patrol Vessels 16 
			 Gibraltar Patrol Vessels 2 
			 River and Castle Class Patrol Vessels 5 
			 Survey Vessels including Ice Patrol Ship 6 
			 Landing Craft Utility 13 
			 Maritime Helicopters (Merlin, Lynx Mk 3 and8,Sea Kings Mk 5 and 7) 106 
			 Land 
			 Brigade HQs and Signal Squadrons 8 
			 Army Air Corps—Utility and ISTARRegiments 2 
			 Other Royal Logistic Corps Regiments 11 
			 Engineer Squadron and Logistic SupportRegiment to 3 Commando Brigade 2 
			 Medical Close and General Support Regiments 5 
			 REME Support Companies to LogisticBrigades 2 
			 Provost Regiments 2 
			 Northern Ireland Non-Deployable Forces 
			 Brigade HQs 2 
			 Resident Engineer Regiment 1 
			 Resident Signal Regiment 1 
			 Resident Logistic and Equipment SupportBattalion 1 
			 Adjutant General 
			 Army Training Regiments 4 
			 Air 
			 Search and Rescue Helicopters 17 
			 C4ISR 
			 Deployable Corps, Division and Joint HQs(ARRC, 1 Armoured Division, 3 (UK) Divisionand Joint Force HQ) 4 
			 Military Intelligence Battalions 3 
			 Logistics and Strategic Enablers 
			 Communications Aircraft (BAE 146 and 125andJetstream) 9 
			 Roll On-Roll Off Vessels 6 
			 RAF Tactical Communications Wing 1 
			 Special Forces 
			 Various In accordance   with our normal   policy details   are withheld 
		
	
	The above does not include Reserve units.

Future Aircraft Carrier Project

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to announce the identity of the organisation to lead the integration of participants in the future aircraft carrier project and the terms of that appointment.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: "Integration" on the future carrier project involves many aspects and at the highest level these include integration of mission systems, platform, combat aircraft and physically integrating the vessels. The identity of which companies will lead on each of these functions within the alliance remains the subject of discussion. We are currently running a competition to select the company best placed to fulfil the role of physical integrator, which will manage the ship building aspects of the carriers. We expect to announce the results of this competition by the end of the year, including the terms of the appointment.

Defence Procurement Authority

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is the practice of the Defence Procurement Authority to include, in invitations to tender, a mandatory provision that a United States company responding to such an invitation must undertake to secure International Traffic in Arms Regulations waivers as necessary.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) does not include any provision within its Invitations to Tender (ITT) requiring a US company to secure an International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) waiver. A proposal for a United Kingdom waiver from certain requirements of the ITAR has been agreed with the US Administration and is under consideration by the US Congress. Until such a waiver is in place a US company responding to an ITT from the DPA must comply with the current US regulations.
	Where the "releasability" of US defence articles under the ITAR may be in doubt, the DPA may ask within the ITT for the US company to apply for an advisory opinion from the US Government on the proposed export that would form part of the tender response. This means that any restrictions or limitations are known before contract placement.

Royal Navy

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the estimated costs of the use of HMS "Boxer" and HMS "Brave" in target practice by the Royal Navy; and what matters were taken into account in forming these estimates.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The estimated cost of using "Boxer" and "Brave" for this exercise was £1,297,000. This figure includes the costs of preparing the two ships as targets, the environmental impact assessment, the target tow preparation, the preparation of the safety case, the charter of the tugs, scientific data collection and the use of US facilities, analysis work by Dstl, video equipment and the estimated scrap value of the "Boxer" and "Brave" hulks.
	Some of these costs also cover the preparation of an additional hulk specifically purchased for use as a target during this exercise.

Royal Navy

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the current and projected numbers of Royal Navy warships are sufficient to discharge the Standing Home Commitment of Military Task 2.3 as set out in the New Chapter to the SDR, namely to protect the integrity of British waters.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence maintains and will continue to maintain a number of capabilities at high readiness to respond to a range of contingencies, including those addressed by Military Task 2.3—the Integrity of the United Kingdom Waters.

Chilean Navy: Sale of British Warships

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with the government of Chile for the sale of British warships to the Chilean Navy; which ships are involved; and at what values do they stand in the audited balance sheet of the Ministry of Defence as at 31 March.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Agency has had, and continues to have, exploratory discussions with the government of Chile relating to the possible sale of three surplus Type 23 frigates, HMS "Marlborough", HMS "Grafton" and HMS "Norfolk". The net book value of each vessel as of 31 March this year was:
	
		
			  
			  HMS "Marlborough" £50,954,818.74 
			  HMS "Grafton" £74,422,503.35 
			  HMS "Norfolk" £44,530,939.88

Foreign Nationals Serving in Armed Forces: British Citizenship

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Ministry of Defence is unable to make representations to the Home Office on applications for British citizenship by foreign nationals serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or employed by the Ministry of Defence overseas.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: To be accepted for employment in the Armed Forces an applicant, at all times since birth, must have been a British or Commonwealth citizen, or a Republic of Ireland national. A waiver of these requirements may be granted, in exceptional circumstances, to applicants who are British or Commonwealth citizens, or Republic of Ireland nationals, at the time of their application. In the interest of the Service, and for the individuals' careers themselves, a small number of Royal Navy Commonwealth personnel are opting to apply for either dual or full British citizenship. The Royal Navy sponsors these applications on a case by case basis through an agreement with the Home Office. There is no other requirement for the department to make representations to the Home Office on applications for British citizenship by foreign personnel serving in the United Kingdom Armed Forces.
	Locally employed civilians who work for the Ministry of Defence overseas are able to apply for British citizenship by virtue of their Crown service. Applications are considered against specific published criteria and judged purely on their merits. There is no place in the process for specific representations although basic facts of employment history are cross-checked with the employing department.

Foreign Nationals Serving in Armed Forces: British Citizenship

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What criteria the Home Office follows when deciding whether to grant British citizenship to Zimbabwean nationals serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or employed by the Ministry of Defence; and
	Whether any special consideration is given to applications for British citizenship by Zimbabwean nationals who have served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or are employed by the Ministry of Defence.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Zimbabwean nationals serving (now or in the past) in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or employed by the Ministry of Defence are expected to meet the same criteria as all other applicants for naturalisation. No special consideration is given or distinctions made. The criteria include five years' residence in the UK (three years' residence if married to a British citizen), being free of immigration time restrictions, being of good character and having a sufficient knowledge of the language. If any applicant, Zimbabwean or otherwise, has difficulty meeting a requirement in full as a result of his service in the British Armed Forces the Home Secretary may exercise his discretion on the matter.

Procedural Safeguards

Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will delay the implementation of a convention on mutual recognition of financial penalties into United Kingdom law until a satisfactory outcome of the European Commission's proposals set out in the Green Paper on procedural safeguards for suspects and defendants in criminal proceedings.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No. An implementation date for the framework decision on financial penalties will be agreed when it is formally adopted. All member states are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights which guarantees the right to fair hearing. The framework decision also provides adequate safeguards for the enforcement of foreign penalties.

Procedural Safeguards

Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether all traffic parking and toll road offences committed in another European Union member state by a United Kingdom driving licence holder will be embraced by the proposed convention on mutual recognition of financial penalties.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The framework decision on financial penalties imposed by one member state allows it to be recognised and enforced in another member state. This would comprise offences where the decision to issue a fine was made by a court in respect of a criminal offence, or by an authority of the issuing state in respect of acts that are infringements of the law provided the person concerned has had an opportunity to have the case tried by a criminal court.

Procedural Safeguards

Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the European Commission's proposal on procedural safeguards which states that a foreign national suspected or accused of a serious crime in another European Union member state should be given at the earliest opportunity a "letter of rights" in his or her own language.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government are broadly supportive of the European Commission's proposal for a framework decision on procedural rights. The United Kingdom retains high standards for the protection of individual rights in all the areas of criminal proceedings covered by the framework decision. We feel that "a letter of rights" could be a useful method for ensuring that an individual is notified of their rights and would require limited changes to current procedure in the United Kingdom. We are taking the views of all relevant organisations into account, in finalising our negotiating stance.

Procedural Safeguards

Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the lack of progress on the European Commission's proposals on procedural safeguards means that implementation of conventions on mutual recognition of driving disqualifications and financial penalties could result in breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights, in respect of United Kingdom drivers accused of motoring offences in other member states of the European Union.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: All member states of the European Union are already signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing. As such compliance with the convention is not dependent on implementation of the European Commission proposal on procedural safeguards.

Procedural Safeguards

Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Under what circumstances a United Kingdom driving licence holder, disqualified from driving by a court in another European Union member state, may have grounds to appeal to a United Kingdom court against the disqualification being applied in the United Kingdom, under the provisions of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There is a right of appeal under Section 59 of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 for any United Kingdom resident aggrieved at the decision to enforce a foreign disqualification in the United Kingdom. An appeal may be made on any of the grounds laid down in the Act for recognising a disqualification. This includes determining whether a defendant was duly notified by the state of the offence of the proceedings against him and entitled to take part in them, which provides an important safeguard where a disqualification has been imposed in absentia. The appeal will not extend to the circumstances of the original offence. Rights of appeal against conviction must already have been dealt with in the state of the offence.
	Part 3 of the 2003 Act, which gives effect to the EU Convention on Driving Disqualifications, has not yet been commenced.

Identity Cards

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What external assessments or public debates are being used by the Home Office to inform their decisions on the nature of any proposed identity card.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government conducted a lengthy consultation exercise on different options for implementing an identity cards scheme in 2002–03 in the Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud—A Consultation Paper (Cm 5557). My right honourable friend the Home Secretary set out the Government's proposals for a national identity cards scheme on 11 November 2003 in Identity Cards: The Next Steps (Cm 6020).
	A further consultation on the draft legislation took place from 26 April to 20 July 2004, including pre-legislative scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee. This is being followed by a programme definition phase. The Office of Government Commerce completed a Gateway 0 Review of the Identity Cards Programme in January 2004 and assessed the programme as being able to go forward to its next phase. Before final decisions are taken on implementation, there will be an intensive phase of feasibility assessment and prototyping so that decision making is soundly based and risks in the programme are kept to a minimum.

Identity Cards

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For what purpose or purposes the introduction of identity cards is being considered.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Identity Cards: the next steps (Cm 6020) set out that a national identity cards scheme would help contain the threats from illegal migration and working, organised crime and terrorism, identity theft and fraud, and fradulent access to public services. At the same time, the identity cards scheme will provide a more reliable means of authenticating identity to help individuals establish their identity, right to access services and show that they belong here, in a simple and convenient way.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many prosecutions have resulted from suspicious activity reports made to the National Criminal Intelligence Service.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are useful for law enforcement purposes for a variety of reasons and not simply to instigate money laundering investigations. For example, SARs may be used to enhance intelligence relating to on-going law enforcement or revenue investigations, where money may not be the main predicate offence; they may be used for providing leads for targeted cash seizure; or they may be held on relevant intelligence databases for use in future cases.
	Given the variety of ways in which this information is used, it is not possible to link particular SARs with particular prosecutions and convictions. But the reporting system is a key element of the United Kingdom's defences against money laundering. In their 2003 review for the Government of the SAR regime, the consultants KPMG examined a sample of SARs. Of those whose impact could be specifically identified, one-third were found to have contributed to a positive law enforcement outcome such as prosecution, confiscation of criminal proceeds or cash seizure. More recent analysis by National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) in relation to the impact of one category of SAR (those where an institution has sought consent to proceed with a transaction) suggests that during 2003 £25 million of assets have been seized, restrained or returned to the victim.
	Information on prosecutions for money laundering offences is set out in the table.
	
		Prosecutions brought in England and Wales for -- money laundering offencesAll offences
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
			 Total 76 52 126 129 182 256 
		
	
	nb: statistical data for prosecutions for money laundering offences since 2002 are not currently available. One consequence of this is that the above data does not relate to prosecutions brought under Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people are currently employed by the National Criminal Intelligence Service; and how many were employed by that service on 1 January 2003.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The table shows the latest figures available on National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) funded employees and attachments from other organisations. The figures for March 2003 are the most accurate available for that year.
	
		
			 Date NCIS Employees Attached Staff 
			 March 2003 885 71 
			 September 2004 1,095 66

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many suspicious activity reports have been made to the National Criminal Intelligence Service in connection with suspected money laundering or tax evasion, broken down by months during the calendar year 2003 and to date in the year 2004.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, firms within the regulated sector are required to report knowledge or suspicion of money laundering—or where they have reasonable grounds to know or suspect that another person is engaged in money laundering—to the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS). It is important to note that the definition of money laundering not only includes those instances of transforming "dirty" money into clean proceeds through a variety of different transactions, but also may include the one-off placement of the proceeds of any crime in different types of financial products or assets.
	Given this definition, all reports received by NCIS relate to suspicion (or knowledge) of money laundering. The number of suspicious activity reports (SARs) made to NCIS in each month of the last two years was as follows:
	
		
			  2004 2003 
			 January 8,194 6,259 
			 February 10,702 6,321 
			 March 12,134 7,024 
			 April 11,461 6,437 
			 May 11,342 6,827 
			 June 13,386 10,461 
			 July  9,590 
			 August  7,873 
			 September  8,479 
			 October  8,565 
			 November  8,796 
			 December  8,076 
			 Total 67,219 94,708 
		
	
	For the tax year 2003–04, 7,548 SARs were forwarded to the Inland Revenue for investigation or intelligence purposes. For the tax year 2004–05, 3,459 SARs, covering the period 5 April to 27 August, have been forwarded to the Inland Revenue.

New Entrants to the UK: English Tuition

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether persons who have been given permission to enter the United Kingdom and reside with their spouses and children are encouraged by the Government to learn English; and, if so, by what means.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government encourage all new entrants who do not speak English to learn, as this is an essential requirement for full and active citizenship. Generous provision is made to meet the costs of tuition. Those given permission to enter the United Kingdom as spouses are entitled to free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses from one year after their arrival. Other legal migrants qualify for free provision after three years of residence.

Harmondsworth Immigration Detention

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice has been given by the Immigration Service to the Metropolitan Police regarding those persons detained at Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre on 20 July who have since been removed from the United Kingdom or given temporary admission into this country; and what procedures are in place to enable the return of potential witnesses from abroad if this is necessary in connection with any current prosecutions arising from disturbances at Harmondsworth on 20 July.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Immigration Service is maintaining records of all those held in Harmondsworth Removals Centre at the time of the disturbance. These records have been made available to the Metropolitan Police. The Metropolitan Police have been advised to refer to the Immigration Service any requests for the return of potential witnesses from abroad.
	There is a recognised procedure in place for the Police to contact the Immigration Service should they wish to request the return of a prosecution witness to attend a trial where there is reason to believe that the person will not qualify for entry. The Immigration Service will consider any such requests on the individual merits of the case, balancing the need to maintain the integrity of the immigration control against the criminal justice issues. In reaching a decision, the Immigration Service will look at all the relevant information, including the person's immigration history, criminal convictions (if any), the importance of their evidence to the court as well as reasons why they cannot give evidence from abroad by video link.

Asylum Claimants and Migrants: Detention

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the reports of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on Dover and Haslar, what steps they are taking to ensure that asylum claimants and migrants are not detained unnecessarily or for long periods.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Detention is used sparingly and for the shortest period necessary. However, the power to detain must be retained to preserve the integrity of immigration control. Detention at Dover and Haslar, as with other immigration removal centres, is most usually appropriate in the following circumstances: initially, to establish identity and the basis of claim; where there are reasonable grounds for believing that an individual will not comply with the conditions of temporary admission or release; or to effect removal. In all cases detention is subject to regular and frequent review at successively higher levels within the Immigration Service to ensure that continued detention remains appropriate.

Gurkhas

Lord Holme of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the current review of policy by the Home Office on the residential and naturalisation status of former serving members of the Brigade of Gurkhas will be completed and published.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The review into current immigration policy in respect of Gurkhas has been wide ranging, and complex issues have been raised that need time to be examined carefully. We must ensure that the broader implications of any change in policy are fully understood to avoid undermining the current special arrangements that enable Gurkhas to serve in the British Army. The review is now nearing completion and an announcement should be made in the next few weeks.

Zimbabwe Community UK

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any conclusions have been reached as a result of policy investigations into the organisation Zimbabwean Community in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Lord Avebury on 14 July (WA 149).
	The Immigration Service is still investigating the Zimbabwe Community in the United Kingdom and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

Trafficking Women for Sexual Exploitation

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the implications of the growing role of Albanian criminal groups in controlling prostitution in London will be for trafficking women for sexual exploitation; and how they will respond to these developments.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Reflex, the National Crime Squad-led multi-agency taskforce, co-ordinates enforcement action on organised immigration crime which includes human trafficking. Reflex takes an intelligence led approach in establishing its priorities and responds accordingly to developing crime trends.
	Operation Maxim led by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) was established under Reflex in 2003 and brought together the MPS, the United Kingdom Immigration Service and the United Kingdom Passport Service in a joint approach to tackling serious and organised crime linked to illegal immigration. The MPS has established links with Albanian authorities and have had a number of successes in disrupting Albanian criminal gangs.
	The Clubs and Vice Unit of the MPS also has significant experience of working with victims of trafficking and works in close co-operation with Eaves Housing for Women, which provides safe accommodation and other support for victims of trafficking for prostitution in London.
	On 16 July the Home Office published Paying the Price, a consultation document on issues related to prostitution. The consultation exercise will form the basis for the development of a co-ordinated strategy to deal with prostitution and will include consideration of the issues surrounding trafficking for the purpose of prostitution. The consultation period runs until 26 November.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many young people under the age of 18 were held in custody for breach of an anti-social behaviour order as their primary offence since 16 June; and what proportion of these were held on remand; and
	How many anti-social behaviour orders imposed on young people under 18 have been breached since 30 April; and what proportion these constitute of all such orders; and
	How many breached anti-social behaviour orders by young people under 18 since 30 April have led to custody or holding on remand; and what proportion these constitute of all such orders.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Youth Justice Board has provided the following which relates to England and Wales:
	121 young people under the age of 18 were held in custody for breaches of an ASBO as their primary offence between 16 June 2004 and 15 September 2004. 40 per cent of these were held on remand.
	Information on young people who have breached anti-social behaviour orders and those breaches which have resulted in custody since 30 April 2004 is not yet available.

Firearms

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which police forces have now converted their firearm records to form a compatible service with the National Firearms Licensing Management System.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: User acceptance testing of National Firearms Licensing Management System began on 24 July. This testing has revealed two issues which need to be resolved before the National Firearms Licensing Management System can be rolled out to forces. Work is in hand on this and a revised roll-out schedule including conversion of records will be agreed with police forces as soon as possible.

Animal Rights: Illegal Activities

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What new or additional measures they are implementing to counter illegal actions by animal rights extremists.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We announced on 30 July in our paper Animal Welfare—Human Rights: tackling animal rights extremism a number of changes to strengthen the law further on protests outside homes and harassment. We propose to:
	strengthen the current police power to direct protestors away from people's homes by making it an offence for a person subject to a direction to return to the vicinity of the premises within three months;
	introduce a new offence of protesting outside homes in such a way that causes harassment, alarm or distress to residents;
	amend the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 to extend it to harassment of two or more persons who are connected, for example employees of the same company.
	These new proposals will strengthen ongoing action by the Government, police and Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to enforce existing legislation robustly and to ensure effective co-ordination to combat the criminal activities of extremists.

Animal Rights: Illegal Activities

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many arrests have been made in recent years for intimidation, making threats or actual harm and personal violence against animal researchers, university personnel and their contractors; and how many convictions have resulted.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: It is not possible from the information collected centrally by the Home Office to identify whether a victim of crime is an animal researcher, university personnel or a contractor.
	However we understand from the police that in the first eight months of 2004 there were 166 arrests of animal rights activists compared with 66 arrests during the same period in 2003.
	We are working with police and the Crown Prosecution Service to implement processes to collect arrest and conviction data which should provide more comprehensive information in the future.

Anti-terrorism Legislation

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What instructions they have given to their representatives about the drafting of measures to implement Articles 1 to 3 of the Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism (2002).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The European Commission recently published a report on measures taken by member states to comply with the Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism. The report acknowledges that the United Kingdom (UK) has implemented Articles 1 and 2 of the framework decision, but raises some doubts about whether the UK is fully compliant with Article 3.
	The Government believe that the UK is already able to ensure that appropriate charges can be brought against a person committing any of the offences listed in Article 3, but are considering whether anything further needs to be done to fully comply with the framework decision.

Anti-terrorism Legislation

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will resist European Commission proposals for the wide circulation of names and personal details of persons investigated by police or security services, and of those charged but not prosecuted or else acquitted.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The European Commission has made a number of proposals aimed at improving information sharing for the purpose of combating terrorism and other forms of serious and organised crime. The Government support this aim and are in favour of improved exchange of criminal intelligence provided that it is proportionate and that proper data protection and human rights safeguards are put in place. It will also be important to ensure that any proposals are cost-effective, will facilitate the timely and secure exchange of relevant information, and will not prejudice the conduct of an investigation or trial or our national security.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with each local authority in the north-east in regard to possible local government reorganisation following the regional referendum on 4 November.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The Government have set up a working group to discuss the implementation of any reorganisation of local government following the regional referendum on 4 November. The group, which met for the first time in March comprises of representatives from local government, including those from the north-east, and other interested parties.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether regional assembly referendums in Yorkshire and the Humber, and the north-west, could be held on the same day as the county council elections on 5 May 2005; or on a general election polling day; or both; and, if so, whether they have ruled out such an option.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: There is no statutory prohibition that would prevent the Government from holding a regional referendum on the same day as a county council or general election. No decision, however, has yet been taken about the date of a regional assembly referendum in Yorkshire and the Humber, or the north-west, or of the general election.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide a full breakdown of costs and expenditure incurred by the regional referendum campaigns in the north-west and the Humber prior to their announcement on 22 July.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: It is not possible to provide a full breakdown of expenditure on the "Your Say" public information campaign in the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber regions without incurring disproportionate costs. However, estimates of the main components of the "Your Say" campaigns in those regions are tabled below:
	
		
			  NW (£000) Y&H (£000) 
			 (a)   Production and distribution of 
			 leaflets 98 72 
			 (b)   Posters 232 193 
			 (c)   Broadcast media 242 211 
			 (d)   Newspapers 137 158 
			 (e)   Events 49 39 
			 (f)   Other 309 278 
			 Total 1,067 951

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the dates of each ministerial visit connected with the regional referendum campaigns in (a) the north west; (b) Yorkshire and the Humber; and (c) the north east.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: Date Place 
			 Dates of Ministerial visits to the North West  
			 4 November 2003 Warrington 
			 1 December 2003 Liverpool 
			 22 January 2004 Manchester 
			 29 January 2004 Speke and Sefton 
			 25 February 2004 Bolton 
			 4 March 2004 Blackburn 
			 5 April 2004 Liverpool 
			 15 April 2004 Kendal 
			 22 April 2004 Preston 
			 5 May 2004 Barrow 
			 15 June 2004 Crewe and St Helens 
			 18 June 2004 Warrington 
			 15 July 2004 Runcorn and Blackpool 
			   
			 Dates of Ministerial visits to Yorkshire and the Humber  
			 3 November 2003 York 
			 4 December 2003 Barnsley, Leeds and Wakefield 
			 23 January 2004 Leeds 
			 18 March 2004 Sheffield 
			 1 April 2004 Hull 
			 22 April 2004 Halifax 
			 23 April 2004 Ripon 
			 18 May 2004 Scunthorpe 
			 18 June 2004 York 
			 28 June 2004 Scarborough 
			   
			 Dates of Ministerial visits to the North East  
			 3 November 2003 Durham 
			 13 January 2004 Durham County Council 
			 23 January 2004 Newcastle 
			 4 March 2004 Berwick 
			 25 March 2004 Newcastle 
			 22 April 2004 Middlesbrough 
			 18 June 2004 Durham 
			 31 August 2004 Morpeth 
			 9/10 September 2004 Sunderland, Newcastle, Corbridge, Middlesbrough

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the costs associated with the decision to postpone the regional referendums in the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The referendums for Yorkshire and the Humber and the north-west are being rescheduled, so preparation for them has been and still is necessary. Some of the preparations are common to all three regions. The main costs incurred by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister relate to the "Your Say" campaigns in the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber, which are detailed in a further answer given to the noble Baroness (HL4119). The Boundary Committee's review of local government in those regions remain valid until June 2005.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their intention with regard to the moneys previously allocated towards the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber regional referendum campaigns; and what is the amount in question for each region.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister originally proposed a budget for the "Your Say" information campaign across all three regions of £5 million. This was allocated as follows:
	
		
			  
			 North-west £2.2 million 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber £1.6 million 
			 North-east £1.2 million 
		
	
	Following the decision to postpone referendums in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, we suspended the campaign in these regions, diverting £210,000 of the spend into our Fire Safety campaign. The final breakdown across the regions is:
	
		
			  
			 North-west £1.07 million 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber £0.95 million 
			 North-east £1.22 million 
		
	
	The balance of £1.55 million remains in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's budget and has yet to be reallocated. The total sum spent on the "Your Say" campaign is £3.24 million.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with the Scottish Executive in regard to the possible creation of a north-east regional assembly.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government have not had any discussions with the Scottish Executive in regard to the possible creation of a north-east regional assembly. However, we have kept the Scottish Executive informed about the evolution of the Government's proposals to establish elected regional assemblies in those English regions which vote in a referendum to have one.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which printers have been contracted to provide ballot papers for the north-east regional referendum; and what is the financial value of each contract awarded.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government have not been involved in negotiations with printers regarding contracts to provide ballot papers for the north-east regional referendum. This is a matter for the Chief Counting Officer. The Chief Counting Officer is Ged Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council, who was appointed by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission is therefore better placed to answer this question.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are confident that the all-postal ballot for the north-east regional referendum will be free from the problems highlighted in the Electoral Commission's report of 27 August.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: As the Electoral Commission commented in its report of 27 August, there is extensive experience of all-postal voting in the north-east and there have been no allegations of fraud in that region. In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is confident that the Chief Counting Officer, Ged Fitzgerald, the Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council, will take all the necessary steps to ensure a successful referendum. Additional assistance and delivery points will be provided to enable electors to receive help and vote in privacy.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had, and with whom, as to the possible location for a north-east regional assembly.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The location of the north-east regional assembly is a matter for that regional assembly to decide once it has been elected.

Regional Assemblies: Referendums

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each ministerial visit connected with the regional referendum campaigns in (a) the north-west; (b) Yorkshire and the Humber; and (c) the north-east, which individuals or groups were met.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not keep a comprehensive list of the large numbers of individuals who attended the information campaign events, and data protection prevents us from providing those names we have. Where possible, lists of organisations/types of organisations, which were either invited to attend, or registered to attend various information campaign events, have been made available in the Library of the House. These lists should be treated only as a guide to attendance.

Planning Permission

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many appeals against English local authority determinations (refusals or conditions) of planning permission have been outstanding for more than 12 months; how many for more than 18 months; and how many for more than two years since (a) the issue of the decisions; and (b) the conclusion of public inquiries.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The information requested is in the table below.
	
		Planning Appeals Outstanding in England as at 31 August 2004
		
			  More than   12 months More than   18 months More than   2 years 
			 Since issue of Local   Authority Decision 544 170 616 
			 Since closure of public   inquiry 0 0 0 
		
	
	The appeal process commences with the receipt of a valid appeal by the Planning Inspectorate and from this point our performance is normally measured.
	The table below shows the same information based upon the appeal start date rather than the date of the local authority decision.
	
		Planning Appeals Outstanding in England as at 31 August 2004
		
			  More than 12 months More than 18 months More than 2 years 
			 Since start of the   appeal process 214 94 547

Pediacel

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the difference in cost between Pediacel and the vaccine currently in use.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: Pediacel costs over £5 more per dose than the vaccines previously used.

Pediacel

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Pediacel will be the only form of vaccine available for the immunisation of children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, HIB and polio, or will others be available on request.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: For infants, Pediacel will be the only vaccine supplied by the National Health Service because it provides the best protection against these serious infections.

Thiomersal

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the inactivated polio vaccine, part of the new five-in-one vaccine, is incompatible with the preservative Thiomersal.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: Thiomersal is not a component of the new vaccines as it would render the inactivated polio vaccine component ineffective.

Air Quality

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evaluation has been made of the effects on human health, particularly for the elderly and those with breathing difficulties, of current levels of nitrogen dioxide, low-level ozone, and small particles in the atmosphere.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: Estimates of numbers of deaths brought forward and respiratory hospital admissions associated with particles and nitrogen dioxide in England for 2002 are given in a table deposited in the Library. These calculations are based on the methodology published in the 1998 report by the Department of Health's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the United Kingdom updated for more recent pollution levels.
	Estimates for deaths brought forward and respiratory hospital admissions for ozone were given in the 1998 COMEAP report, based on ozone levels in the summer of 1995. These estimates have also been deposited in the Library.
	The short-term effects of particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone are thought to occur predominantly in the elderly who are already ill with breathing difficulties or heart disease.
	In 2005, COMEAP will be setting up a sub-group to update its views on quantifying the effects of air pollution in the UK.

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the proposals in the consultation document on herbal medicine and acupuncture, published in March, will affect the provision of acupuncture within the National Health Service by doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: We published proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners on 2 March 2004. The consultation period closed on 7 June. An analysis of the responses to the consultation will be published in the autumn. As my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Health (Mr John Hutton) said in the foreword to our consultation document, we anticipate that these proposals will improve the quality of care and will help to reassure patients and the public about the skills and competence of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners.

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether medical practitioners will still be able to use the title "acupuncturist" in spite of the fact that the Department of Health does not favour dual regulation; and whether medical education for acupuncture will be the responsibility of the medical communities involved.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: We published proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners on 2 March. The consultation period closed on 7 June. An analysis of the responses to the consultation will be published in the autumn. The responses to the consultation will help us to develop the draft order establishing the new regulatory system for these practitioners.
	We are aware of the interests of medical acupuncturists and will consider their representations very carefully together with the responses made to the consultation document commenting on the implications of our proposals for education and training.

Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002

Baroness Billingham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it was their intention that Section 12 of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 would have effect outside the European Union; and if not, whether they will consider amending the Act to address this.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 has effect in Great Britain and Northern Ireland only, in line with the government's intentions.

Food and Health Action Plan

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the award of grants to food promoting bodies are linked to the priorities of the Food and Health Action Plan.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health launched Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet a consultation on priorities for a food and health action plan which ended on 30 June. The responses will inform the development of the White Paper on improving public health due to be published later this year, and a final food and health action plan.
	The Department of Health awards grants to voluntary organisations which are:
	active in providing, promoting, publicising or advising on a service similar to the health services or social services, which are the functions of National Health Service bodies or local social services authorities;
	promoting or publicising one of these public service functions or advising on how it can best be provided.
	Grants are made through Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 7 September (WA 138), whether they will specify (a) the "epidemiological studies in populations exposed to fluoride occurring naturally" at one part per million to which they refer; and (b) those studies that have "found no relationship between fluoride naturally present in drinking water and any of the non-dental health outcomes considered".
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: A representative sample of the epidemiological studies is included in the reference lists of reviews such as those published by the World Health Organisation. http://www.who.int/water–sanitation–health/oralhealth/en/index6.html
	The studies in England to which I was referring are:
	Berry WTC (1958): Amer J Ment Defic 62 634
	Berry WTC and Whittles JH (1963): Mon Bull Minist Hlth 22 50
	Chilvers C and Conway D (1985) J Epid Comm Health 39 44
	Cooper C, Wickham R, Lacey RF and Barker DJ (1990) J Epid Comm Health 44 17
	Cooper C, Wickham CA, Barker DJ and Jacobsen SJ (1991) JAMA 266 513
	Department of Health and Social Security (1985): Fluoridation of Water and cancer: a review of the epidemiological evidence. London, HMSO. 77-78 and 102-103.
	Ely AJ, Kemp FH, Kerley PJ and Berry WTC (1957): Lancet ii 712
	Griffith GW (1963): Mon Bull Minist Hlth 22 30
	Heasman MA and Martin AE (1962): Mon Bull Minist Hlth 21 150
	Hillier S, Cooper C, Kellingray S, Russell G, Hughes H and Coggan D (2000): Lancet 355 265
	Jackson D and Weidmann SM (1958): J Path Bact 76 451
	Kinlen L (1974): Comm Health 6 69
	Maheswaran R, Morris S, Falconer S, Grossinho A, Perry I, Wakefield J and Elliott P (1999): Heart 82 455
	Ministry of Health, Scottish Office and Ministry of Housing and Local Government (1962): Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects 105 41
	Murray MM, Ryle JA, Simpson BW and Wilson DC (1948): Memor Med Res Coun (Lond) 18
	Nixon JM and Carpenter RG (1974): Lancet November 2nd 1068
	Weaver R (1944): BDJ 77 185.

Smallpox Vaccine

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many companies in the United Kingdom are licensed to produce smallpox vaccines; how many individual doses in total have been exported in each of the last five years, giving the numbers going to individual countries in each case.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: None. There are currently no marketing authorisations for smallpox vaccine in the United Kingdom and we are not aware of any companies manufacturing smallpox vaccine in the UK for export abroad. All the smallpox vaccine acquired recently by the Government was manufactured outside the UK and is not yet subject to a marketing authorisation. Doses of old Swiss Serum Institute vaccine have been supplied for the purposes of vaccinating a small cohort of healthcare workers and for emergency preparedness purposes to the following in the past 5 years:
	
		
			  
			  Isle of Man 2,002 doses 
			  Guernsey 20 doses 
			  Gibraltar 29,000 doses

Smallpox Vaccine

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have sufficient evidence on which to quantify the risk of acquiring smallpox as a result of vaccination with the live smallpox vaccine.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: There is no risk of acquiring smallpox as a consequence of being vaccinated with smallpox vaccine. Smallpox vaccine contains 'live' vaccinia (Cowpox) virus which induces immunity against variola virus, the cause of smallpox. The vaccinia virus in smallpox vaccine is known to cause adverse effects in some vaccinees and there is a wealth of evidence from studies conducted during past vaccination campaigns both in the United Kingdom and the United States from which the risks of such effects are quantified.

Yoghurt and Yoghurt-like Products

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made towards the adoption of European standards for the composition and labelling of yoghurt and yoghurt-like products.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: Preliminary technical discussions on the composition and labelling of yoghurt and yoghurt-like products have taken place at European Union level. However, no formal proposal for legislation has been adopted by the European Commission.

Pre-school Playgroups and Nursery Schools

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many children attend state nursery schools in (a) Wales; and (b) England; and
	How many pre-school playgroups there are in (a) Wales; and (b) England.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: In January 2004 almost 38,970 children attended LEA maintained nursery schools in England. The department's best estimate of the number of pre-schools or playgroups in England as at January 2004 is 10,000.
	For information on Wales, I refer my noble friend to the Education Department of the Assembly of Wales.

Money Laundering

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will request the Financial Services Authority to restrict its money laundering procedures to financial transactions above a specified amount.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The identification procedures required by the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 and corresponding FSA rules are in line with our obligations under the European Money Laundering Directives. To restrict money laundering procedures to financial transactions above a specified amount would not be consistent with our obligations under EC law.

Money Laundering

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any recorded instances of money laundering occurring through a pensioner transferring pension assets from one authorised pension provider to another.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Longer-term assets such as insurance products and pensions can be used to attempt to disguise the proceeds of crime. The National Criminal Intelligence Service has received a number of reports of suspected money laundering from pension providers regarding customer activity. Where appropriate these are passed to law enforcement agencies for investigation.

Money Laundering

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why it is necessary for the Financial Services Authority's money laundering regulations to require detailed personal identity verification for pensioners transferring their pension from one authorised pension provider to another, when such details have already been given to the original provider.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Money Laundering Regulations 2003 and corresponding Financial Services Authority Rules require financial services firms to verify their customers' identity. This obligation does not apply to long-term contracts of insurance in connection with pension schemes that meet certain criteria. In many situations, either there is an exemption from the obligation to identify or industry guidance provides for reliance on the identification done by the original provider.

Modern Apprenticeships

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many modern apprenticeships are currently being undertaken in (a) Wales; (b) Scotland and (c) England
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated 24 September.
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about modern apprenticeships. (HL4253)
	The attached table shows the estimated number of people of working age in employment who are undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship, taken from the Labour Force Survey. The estimates are shown for each UK country and are for the three month period ending in May 2004.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are subject to sampling variability.
	
		Estimated number* of people of working age 1  in employment who are undertaking Modern Apprenticeships 2  -- UK countries, three month period ending May 2004
		
			 Country Number of people (thousands) 
			 United Kingdom 89 
			  England 70 
			  Wales 6 
			  Scotland 9 
			  Northern Ireland 3 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS—Labour Force Survey
	*—Not seasonally adjusted
	1 Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59
	2 Includes Foundation and Advanced Modern Appenticeships

Iraq: Cost of Military Operations

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the total cost to public funds of military operations in Iraq since January 2004.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Chancellor set aside £3 billion in Budget 2003 as a Special Reserve to cover the cost of operations in Iraq. £1 billion was drawn down by the Ministry of Defence in the Spring Supplementary Estimate for 2002–03.
	The remaining £2 billion of this Special Reserve was carried forward to 2003–04. The Ministry of Defence drew down £1,539 million in the 2003–04 Winter and Spring Supplementary Estimates.
	In the PBR 2003 the Chancellor announced a further £500 million for the Special Reserve in the financial year 2003–04 and a further £300 million for 2004–05 as a prudent allowance to cover Iraq our continuing International commitment to the war on terrorism.

Aerospace Industry

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people are employed directly in the aerospace industry in (a) Wales; (b) Scotland; and (c) England.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated 27 September 2004.
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about aerospace industry jobs in Wales, Scotland and England. (HL4254)
	The latest available data, from the 2002 Annual Business Inquiry, show that the total number of employee jobs in the aerospace industry is 6,300 in Wales, 4,500 in Scotland and 84,600 in England.

Steel Industry

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people are employed directly in the steel industry in (a) Wales; (b) Scotland; and (c) England.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated 27 September 2004.
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about steel industry jobs in Wales and England. (HL4255)
	The latest available data, from the 2002 Annual Business Inquiry, show that the total number of employee jobs in the steel industry is 9,800 in Wales, and 36,800 in England. This total is obtained by combining figures for those working in the following industries, as identified by Standard Industrial Classification 2003:
	manufacture of basic iron and steel manufacture of steel tubes first processing of iron and steel casting of steel.

Tote

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the statement by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 14 September (HL Deb, col. 1044), what is the legal authority for paying 50 per cent of the proceeds of the sale of the Tote to a party other than the Racing Trust.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill, once enacted, will enable the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to transfer the property, rights and liabilities of the Horserace Totalisator Board to a successor company and to direct the company to issue securities to her or her nominee. The Secretary of State will then be entitled, by virtue of that legal ownership, to sell some or all of those securities. It remains the Government's policy to sell all of them to the racing trust, if possible. In that event then all the proceeds of the sale will be paid into the Consolidated Fund. If for some reason a sale to the trust cannot be completed, then it remains the Government's intention to sell all the securities to a third party, with half the proceeds being paid into the Consolidated Fund and half paid, under the authority of the Appropriation Act, to a body or bodies representing the interests of British horseracing. Any sale and payment will have to comply with European Union rules on state aid.

Tote

Viscount Falkland: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the sale of the Tote to a racing trust will involve a percentage of the consideration being reserved for the staff of the Tote; how that amount is likely to be divided; and in what form.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: These matters are subject to discussion between the Tote and the Racing Trust as prospective purchaser, and if necessary will be taken forward as part of the overall sale negotiations between the trust and the Government. The trust has so far made no formal proposals in this respect; and the Government have reserved their position.

Baronetcies

Lord Smith of Clifton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is possible to deprive an individual of his Baronetcy; and, if so, what is the procedure for doing so; and
	Whether it is possible to abolish a Baronetcy; and, if so, what is the procedure for so doing.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Yes, but primary legislation would be required.

Supreme Court

Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the new wing of Somerset House will be the location of the Supreme Court; and, if so, whether a heritage assessment thereof and of the footbridge between the new and west wings, built in 1873, will be undertaken to ensure that all necessary architectural features are maintained and that any necessary restorations are made.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The new wing of Somerset House is one of the two options under consideration, along with Middlesex Guildhall, as a potential location for the Supreme Court.
	As part of the analysis and evaluation of both buildings, there are ongoing discussions with English Heritage and Westminster Planning Authority on possible designs. To support this process a conservation plan is being prepared for the new wing of Somerset House, including the footbridge between the new and west wings.

Human Rights Act 1998: Compensation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 15 September (WA 191), whether there is any evidence that the pattern of compensation under the Human Rights Act 1998 indicates that excessive compensation has been awarded to victims of breaches of the Act; or that the awards have tended to encourage a compensation culture.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The lack of centrally maintained data mentioned in my earlier answer makes a detailed response impossible. Damages may be awarded under Section 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 only where a person establishes that his convention rights have been or would be infringed by the act of a public authority. The statutory regime of Section 8 is more restrictive than the principles which govern the award of damages for breaches of private law obligations. Damages are only to be awarded where necessary to afford just satisfaction to the claimant and in many cases the award of damages will not be so necessary. In making this assessment Section 8(4) requires the court to take into account the principles applied by the European Court of Human Rights in awarding compensation: the European Court does not make such awards as a matter of course and the amounts awarded tend to be modest. The courts also recognise, where damages are necessary, that a balance must be struck between the interests of the claimant in being compensated and the wider interests of the public at large. The statutory regime therefore guards against both excessive awards and a compensation culture.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given the increase in bovine tuberculosis in cattle, what research has been undertaken to establish whether (a) there are variations in incidence among organic, beef, dairy and suckling herds, or breeds generally; (b) incidence has been affected by the scale (compared with the past) of in-breeding of dairy stock, increased milk yield from cows, cross-breeding of beef cattle and greater stock movements; and whether combinations of such factors could have altered stamina and disease resistance.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: A research study funded by Defra which reported in 2000 suggested that beef herds were three times less likely to have a TB breakdown than mixed dairy/beef herds and five times less likely than dairy herds. It also indicated that between 1986 and 1996, annual TB incidence increased and this increase was particularly marked in dairy herds and larger herds.
	Defra is not carrying out any research into the effect on TB incidence of factors such as in-breeding of dairy stock, increased milk yields and cross-breeding beef cattle might have.
	Defra has only recently introduced a comprehensive cattle tracing database that allows the impact of cattle movements to be analysed accurately as a variable affecting the occurrence of TB. Analysis of data from the ongoing TB99 epidemiological survey has identified a number of factors which appear to put a farm at greater risk of suffering a TB breakdown and these include the movement of animals on to the farm. Further analyses of TB99 data are being undertaken, and these include the use of cattle movement data (given the early indications of cattle movement as an important factor in the spread of cattle TB, locally and nationally). The TB99 survey also attempts to identify, among other things, if organic farm status and, more generally, the herd type have any influence on TB risk.
	An analysis of pre-foot and mouth disease outbreak TB99 data, covering factors that have emerged as having significance for TB in herds, is expected to be published soon in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they have disclosed that deer and badger carcasses in the Furness Peninsula Road Traffic Accident Survey were negative for bovine tuberculosis but have not disclosed the results from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire; and whether the majority of the carcasses from those areas other than Furness tested positive for bovine tuberculosis.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The survey being conducted in the Furness Peninsual is not part of the road traffic accident (RTA) survey being carried out in the seven counties. The purposes of the two separate RTA surveys differ—in Furness the objective was to check if TB was in the local wildlife populations, by using road-killed carcasses as a sample resource, since this would help to inform us of the appropriate TB testing frequency to apply. As the absence of TB in any carcasses checked was informative within the broad purpose of the survey, it was logical to disclose the information to the public.
	The purpose of the much larger survey in the seven counties is to obtain region-specific estimates of infection prevalence in badgers. The independent scientific group has advised that before these prevalence estimates can be interpreted, the data must be compared with those from the randomised badger culling trial, matching the two datasets in time and location as far as possible. This comparison will, it is hoped, tell us how well such surveys reflect the level of TB in badgers, and whether such surveys could be used reliably to detect the spread or the increase of TB to, or within, an area and hence flag an increased risk for cattle. Release of data should await the time when they have been suitably analysed and conclusion reached. This work is in hand and results are expected to be published later this year.

Squirrels

Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they regard the survival of the red squirrel in the interest of biodiversity as being a priority.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Yes. The Government do regard this as a priority. As part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan process the red squirrel was identified as a priority species and has its own species action plan, a commitment of government resources to protect the red squirrel in the UK. The UK Red Squirrel Group was set up as a partnership to lead this action plan and continues to co-ordinate action for the conservation of the red squirrel in the UK.

Squirrels

Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the recent independent survey carried out by the European squirrel initiative on views expressed about the red squirrel and controlling the grey squirrel.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Assuming that the survey sample and the opinions expressed were a true representation of the UK public then it is heartening to see that a conservation issue appears to have reached so many people, as communication and awareness raising are important objectives of the species action plan for the red squirrel in the UK.
	This is encouraging support for the work that is currently being planned or undertaken in priority sites for red squirrels throughout the UK. Active grey squirrel control to reduce the possibility of their incursion into red squirrel woodland is part of the recommended actions of the UK Red Squirrel Group to land owners and is being carried out by the partners of UKRSG that are land owner/managers. This targeted control is seen as an essential part of a strategy that also includes habitat management, to make these sites less attractive to grey squirrels. For this strategy to work there needs to be wide co-ordination and partnership co-operation of all the connecting woodland owners. Increased support for this method would serve to strengthen this strategy and further help to protect the red squirrels.

Squirrels

Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether an impact assessment, cost estimation of control and eradication and cost/benefit analysis have been carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as stated in its review of non-native species policy; and, if so, whether this includes the grey squirrel.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The department issued and consulted on the Government's response to the review of non-native species policy in December 2003. The response set out the Government's initial views in responding to the detailed review report. In preparing the response, the Government took full account of the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its recommended three-stage approach to dealing with invasive non-native species, which the review also endorsed:
	(i) preventing new introductions of non-native species; (ii) early detection and control of new introductions; and (iii) management of established invasive non-native species.
	The Government agreed with the review working group that the development of comprehensive risk assessment procedures to assess the risks posed by non-native species is a priority, as it would inform further prevention action.
	The department has commissioned research to develop a standardised system that would enable the risk of species becoming invasive to be routinely assessed. The research is due for completion in early 2005. The aim is to produce a standarised system to identify those species constituting the highest risks, and to provide guidance on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of options for management action.
	We have not yet conducted a formal cost estimation and cost/benefit analysis for controlling specific species such as the grey squirrel.

Squirrels

Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the cost of the damage caused to community forests and other planting schemes by grey squirrels.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: No specific estimate has been made of the likely cost of damage to woodland planted under the community forest programme or any other support mechanism.

Squirrels

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they regard the project to reinstate red squirrels into Thetford Forest to have been a success.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The red squirrel population in Thetford Forest has shown a slow long-term decline, closely associated with the spread of the grey squirrel in the area. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to reverse this decline, using a combination of forest management, targeted grey squirrel control and some limited trial restocking with red squirrels. Although we cannot say that there has been an improvement in the situation, this work has been very helpful in gathering information to inform squirrel management elsewhere and we now know a great deal more about the effort required to control grey squirrel populations.
	Red squirrels are still present in the forest, though probably in very small numbers.

Squirrels

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Forestry Commission has a policy to control grey squirrels; and, if so, what methods it recommends.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The Forestry Commission is currently engaged in the preparation of a policy statement on grey squirrel control in England. This is one of the commitments made in the response to the recommendations contained in the Sustaining England's Woodlands review.
	The Forestry Commission's policy on the public forest estate in England is that grey squirrel control is undertaken according to circumstances, through a risk-based approach. This approach has the aim of preventing damage to high-value timber crops, the prevention of damage to property and the conservation of red squirrel populations and other features of high biodiversity value.
	The recommended methods of control are set out in the Forestry Commission's forest practice note Controlling Grey Squirrel Damage to Woodland. The current edition of this guidance was published in April 2004. It recommends warfarin poisoning and live trapping using baited cages as the most effective methods of reducing grey squirrel populations.

Squirrels

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there has been any change in policy towards controlling the grey squirrel since the reply given by the Lord Donoughue, then Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, that the Government would "do all we can to promote effective means of control because grey squirrels are pests and should be got rid of" (HL Deb, 26/01/99, col. 873).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: No. The statement made by my noble friend Lord Donoughue was in the context of the establishment of new broadleaved woodland and there has been no change in the policy that underpinned that statement.
	The Forestry Commission is currently engaged in the preparation of a clear modern policy towards grey squirrels. This is one of the commitments made in the response to the recommendations contained in the Sustaining England's Woodlands review.
	In addition the Forestry Commission advises on methods for controlling grey squirrel. Its advice is set out in the practice note Controlling Grey Squirrel Damage to Woodland and this was revised and republished in April 2004. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.
	While the Forestry Commission has a significant role to play in providing advice on best practice, the prime responsibility for controlling grey squirrel damage lies with landowners.

Food Industry

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What grants Food from Britain has received in the last three years; and what proportion of the foods promoted by it are (a) processed foods; (b) high in sugar, salt and fat; and (c) contain artificial additives.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Food from Britain has received the following grants during the past three financial years:
	
		
			 Year Defra Other 
			 2001–02 £7,868,0001 £300,000—Countryside Agency 
			 2002–03 £5,868,0002 £300,000—Countryside Agency 
			 2003–04 £6,368,0003 — 
		
	
	1 Includes £2,500,000 for work in relation to foot and mouth recovery.
	2 Includes £500,000 for work in relation to foot and mouth recovery.
	3 Includes £1,260,000 for work to support the development of the quality regional food and drink sector.
	All UK exporters need to ensure that their individual products comply with the prevailing product ingredient and labelling requirements of the markets they wish to export to.
	Food From Britain's role is to maximise exports of food and drink produced or processed in the UK and to increase production and consumption of quality regional food. Its export services are available to all UK companies and consist of a range of tailored business development and information services such as market assessment reports, trade missions and support at international food and drink exhibitions. Support for the quality regional food sector consists of a programme of activities focusing on trade development, increasing competitiveness and raising consumer awareness. In both cases, FFB's support is provided to the company or producer rather than for individual products. FFB does not, therefore, keep detailed records or make assessments of the individual products promoted by the companies or producers it supports.
	A Department of Health consultation Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet on priorities for a food and health action plan held earlier this year listed the reduction of salt, saturated fat and sugar in diets as nutritional priorities for the population of England as a whole. The consultation invited the views of individuals, organisations and industry on the actions we need to take to improve the balance of the national diet. This will result in benefits to consumer choice whether food is consumed domestically or following export.

Food Industry

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the Regional and Local Food Unit of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is supporting (a) farmers' markets; and (b) the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association's accreditation scheme.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: (a) Officials from Defra's Regional and Local Food Unit met representatives from the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) on 12 July 2004. The purpose of this meeting was to explore how Defra can work with FARMA on the common goals of reconnecting farmers to their markets and helping them to add value. The meeting included a discussion on FARMA's priorities and how projects to take these forward might be supported under various grant schemes—in particular the rural enterprise scheme (RES) and the agriculture development scheme (ADS). Farmers' markets at both a regional and national level have received funding under those schemes in the past. Most recently, an award of £100,256 to the National Association of Farmers' Markets (NAFM), now FARMA, was made in April 2003 to raise the profile of farmers' markets across England and to increase public awareness of them. The meeting also covered how FARMA could raise its profile with the regional development agencies (RDAs). As a result representatives from FARMA have been invited to give a presentation to Defra's regional food cross-cutting group, which includes representatives from the RDAs, the Countryside Agency and the Food Standards Agency, at the end of this month.
	(b) At the meeting on 12 July, FARMA's accreditation scheme was identified as a key priority for the new organisation. Defra has already provided £24,364 to NAFM to help it to develop the certification scheme for accrediting farmers' markets. The scheme is an important factor in preserving the integrity of and, therefore, consumers' confidence in, farmers' markets. Any further request from FARMA for funding to address this issue would be considered in the same way as any other application for grant.

Food Industry

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the Regional and Local Food Unit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is supporting Food Links UK, the national body of Local Food Links, and their work to promote best practice in schemes that raise the consumption of fresh British produce.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Defra's Regional and Local Food Unit is working with colleagues elsewhere in the department in taking forward a number of initiatives in support of the work that Food Links UK is doing to encourage the consumption of fresh British produce. These include:
	Funding a range of projects through our various grant schemes which are helping producers to develop their processing facilities, find new outlets for their produce and reconnect with consumers. For example, a project in Somerset aimed at developing new markets for local produce by establishing links with local businesses in the retail, catering and tourism sectors;
	Our public sector food procurement initiative, which is designed to encourage public sector bodies to procure their food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and encourages more small and local farmers, producers and suppliers to compete to supply them with food. Activities include regional pilot projects on developing local supply chains;
	Our organic action plan which aims to increase British farmers' share of the organic market; and
	The programme of activities being taken forward by Food from Britain under our regional food strategy aimed at helping quality regional food producers to become more competitive and raising consumer awareness. Examples of such activities include the forthcoming best practice guide on distribution and the strengthening of links between regional food and tourism.

Food Industry

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to act on the recommendation in the Gershon review of "improving purchasing arrangements: centralised negotiation of bulk deals"; and, if so, how that will help to deliver the objective of the sustainable food procurement initiative to increase tenders from small and local producers.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Public procurement is based on value for money, defined as the optimum combination of whole-life cost and quality to meet the user's requirement. Strengthening sustainability considerations in public procurement provides an opportunity to drive up standards and to achieve social and environmental as well as economic objectives consistent with public procurement policy. In accordance with the recommendations in Sir Peter Gerson's report, the Government will be seeking deals at national, regional and local levels depending on which is most appropriate. In working to achieve those deals we will take account of our policies on sustainable procurement and the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in public sector contracts.
	Defra is implementing category management as its preferred delivery mechanism for the contracting of common commodities across the Defra family. This approach to supply chain management involves extensive market analysis and consultation (including supplier conferences) to ensure that the construction of tenders is inclusive and encourages a variety of bids and innovative approaches having full regard for sustainability principles and value for money.
	The UK's farmers and growers have an important part to play in our sustainable development objectives. They have the potential to supply food to public sector organisations either as direct contractors or as lower-tier suppliers under a subcontract. The public sector food procurement initiative, as part of the food chain work stream helping to implement the sustainable farming and food strategy for England, is encouraging local producers to compete for more public sector business. It is important that local producers are made aware of the opportunities that arise and of the procurement process. They need to consider their capacity for meeting demand and whether they should collaborate with other producers to increase their chances of winning contracts and subcontracts. Above all, it is right and proper that local producers win public sector business following fair and open competition for contracts that are designed to be efficient and so provide best value for money.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many agreements have been concluded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The number of current 10-year agreements under the scheme is about 16,700. This figure does not include agreements concluded pre-1994, which have expired, or agreements which have been terminated early.

Pest Control

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they propose that otters, mink and rats should be controlled if hunting with dogs becomes illegal.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The stalking of wild mammals, including mink and otters, and flushing them out of cover is exempt hunting under the Bill if certain conditions are observed. These relate to the purpose of the hunting, the land on which it takes place, the number of dogs used, the use of dogs below ground, and the care of the hunters to despatch the quarry quickly and to maintain control of their dogs. The hunting of rats is exempt subject only to the hunter owning the land or having the owner's permission. The Government would be pleased to work with others to develop a code of practice to ensure that pests can be controlled effectively within the new regulations.

Dunblane Inquiry

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will reconsider the 100-year ban on publication of parts of the evidence given to the inquiry into the circumstances which led to the murders committed at Dunblane by Thomas Hamilton.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: This is a matter for the Scottish Executive.
	I understand, however, that the cataloguing of the productions lodged for the purpose of the Dunblane inquiry has recently been completed by the National Archives of Scotland. Officials from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are currently reviewing this material and considering what information is suitable for release either in its entirety or in an edited format. Some of the material, however, cannot be released before the end of the 100-year closure period because it contains sensitive information.

Stakeholders

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their definition of the meaning of the word "stakeholder" which is commonly used across government departments.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: There is no agreed government-wide definition of stakeholder because each organisation uses the term in respect of different individuals and groups. It is commonly understood though that a stakeholder is anyone affected by, or capable of influencing, government strategy or services.
	Typical stakeholders will be:
	Customers and other people who use public services
	Public service employers
	Staff
	Delivery partners and suppliers
	Trade unions and professional associations
	Trade associations and industry bodies
	Other government departments and agencies
	Political and campaigning organisations
	The voluntary and community sector
	Organisations representating customers
	Government organisations are encouraged to work with stakeholders, both in terms of policy and service delivery, on the understanding that work conducted in isolation from those on whom it will impact is unlikely to deliver any benefit.